Hydrodegradation of starch incorporated polylactic acid with acrylic acid as interfacial linker

Abstract

Graft modification of polylactic acid (PLA) with acrylic acid (AA) using double initiators was studied. The composition of the graft copolymer (PLA-AA) was characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and introduction of AA was demonstrated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that due to the increasing graft efficacy the modified PLA had better interfacial adhesion with starch compared to neat PLA. Fracture surfaces of starch/PLA and starch/PLA-AA were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the results also demonstrated the better interfacial adhesion of the latter composite. Graft modification of PLA matrix and introduction of starch played important roles in enhancing the mechanical properties (strength and modulus) while remaining good degradability of the composite.